NJ Senate Delays Vote On Marriage Equality Bill

TRENTON – In an unexpected move yesterday, the state Senate postponed today’s planned vote on the Marriage Equality Act. The controversial bill would allow homosexual couples to marry.

The bill’s sponsors, Sen. Ray Lesniak (D-Union) and Loretta Weinberg (D-Bergen), asked Senate President Richard Codey to hold the vote until after the Assembly Judiciary Committee could hold a hearing on the bill.

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The move came as a surprise to some lawmakers. It seems to indicate that Lesniak and Weinberg felt that there wouldn’t be sufficient support to pass the legislation.

“In my experience, nothing is put up for a vote in Trenton until there are sufficient votes to see it passed,” said Sen. Michael Doherty (R-Hunterdon), who opposes the bill.

Lesniak denied that the vote was delayed because of a lack of support.